AN: First of all, thanks for the supportive criticism you've all given me so far. Although english is not my first language, I try my best to write in it. There are some german words and sentences in this chapter (Google translate exists for a reason, so I won't bother translating for now unless demands rise). Also, if you feel that I may have missed something in past chapters, please comment. Otherwise I may have unfinished chapters churned out. Now, onto the reviews.
To: DaToskin: Thanks for the support! As to your question on shooting down sattelities, I'm not sure exactly which part; Unless you mean the shipgirls and how they got there. I probably should have specified how they reached Remnant, But I'll do it right now. In short, Their trajectory made them crash into the planet. Think of it as a drop pod or like the lockers from Beacon, that could be sent anywhere on Remnant. Also, the battleship Yamato (Which is why I put in JDS, which stands for Japan Defense Ship) appeared in the sea of Remnant, from reasons unexplained yet (so far. :D) And so, no space capabilities whatsoever.
To Mooniecat: Taking your advice, I shall now write reviews in the start of each chapter. Huzzah! Anyways, about the tank; In this alternate future of Earth, technology advanced rapidly due to the threat of constant warfare. The tank has a AI system (as to what level, I shall reveal in time) and the main gun was due to the amount of siege warfare required. After all, no army is going to lug around a artillery gun constantly to and from each battle (Maybe Russia. Time will tell.) Also, to give some brief information about Kanmusu, or shipgirls; They are generally considered 'spirits' of the ships themselves. In japanese myths, a object that is cherished for so long will eventually gain a conscience, and with it, a physical identity. The Kanmusu came to exist (at least, in my opinion) from the need of Humanity's survival, and after their deep-water navies were blown to bits by abyssal forces. With the being spirits, well... They are capable of doing inhuman feats. I mean, I doubt a human would be able to carry and fire 46cm guns (even if they were minaturized. Seriously.)
To MCZ: If you have any suggestions or whatnot, go ahead and write them in the reviews. That goes for all of you readers; tell me how this should go, or if satisfied, I shall continue in the general direction.
Final Note: Warhammer has been my recent fix so far, so Warhammer elements have been blended into the story for my personal joy. Now, Onwards to the chapter!
Offizer Hans Rommel POV:
Alarms blared as I groggily got to my feet. I glanced out the porthole, only to be greeted by a giant fucking eyeball staring back at me. It blinked.
"What the fick-" The ship rocked starboard, knocking me flat on my ass. I quickly slid on my vest and grabbed my helmet, and ran into the hallway. The ship was in chaos; sailors ran left to right, all of them in a hurry. I grabbed a passing sailor.
"What's going on!?"
"Some giant fucking thing is trying to sink the ship!" He shook my hand off and continued running. I shook my head and ran up to the bridge, and arrived in time. Kenji was shouting orders as he glanced at the viewport, while Heinreich was on the radio, frusteration in his voice.
"Sir! Contact appearing from Port!" A officer screamed, and I looked over, as fear crawled over me. Some giant fucking thing was right there, moving towards us. It looked like fish; that is, if fish had a maw that was large enough to swallow a fucking battleship, along with what appeared to be razor sharp fins.
"Fire all guns! kill it!" I dashed over to Heinreich, who was screaming into the radio.
"What do you mean, we're too close?! Send air support, verdammit!" I glanced outside; the thing was coming closer. I racked my head for ideas; And then it flashed.
"Kenji! Were are the girls?!"
"Below deck!" I nodded and ran out, making my way towards their rooms. I opened the door and got in, letting out a sigh of relief as they were all there.
"Hans, what is going on?!" Bismarck shouted, and I shook my head.
"We're under attack! I need all of you to come with me! any firepower is something." They nodded and followed me above deck, their rigging already equipped. I stopped just short of the hatch.
"Alright. Listen up, kinder. Some massive creature is outside, and you are all that is left to stop them. I trust that you can do it, Ja?" they nodded, and I opened the hatch.
"Los! Los!" They stormed out, and I stopped Bismarck and Prinz Eugen.
"Make the fatherland proud, ja?" I grinned, and pulled my helmet on as they ran out. I sighed; I needed something with enough firepower to do something. I glanced at Bismarck, who was busy firing 38cm shells. My eyes landed on her armband, and widened.
"There was still that option..." I mumbled, and got out. I needed a large open space, otherwise it wouldn't work. I slid between the 46cm guns, and began concentrating. My efforts proved successful, as I had gotten what I needed; a 8.8cm Pak 43, capable of punching a hole into a soviet IS-2. If it could do that, Then It would be able to pierce flesh or armor. I grabbed my radio, and connected to Heinreich.
"Oi! Send me a man up to the deck! I need someone to help me man this anti-tank gun!" I generated a Negev LMG and fired at the creature, rounds impacting into it, causing nothing but annoyance.
"It's the goddamn Levithian!" I slammed in a shell and grunted with effort, before scrambling to the firing mechanism.
"Steady, steady;" I pointed the gun at the rapidly approaching figure, and fired.
"Firing!" The round screamed, and slammed into the Levithian's right eye.
"Ha! German technology can never be beaten!" The Levithian screamed, and dived underwater.
"Shit. It's going around!" I tried my best to turn the gun, failing miserably. That is, until Prinz Eugen walked over, and held it up like it was a textbook before setting it down.
"Danke." I loaded in another shell. AP this time. The Levithian burst out of the ocean, it's hideous face oozing black blood from it's destroyed eye. It moved to roar-
Yamato's 46cm guns, along with the ship itself, fired point blank into it's mouth, and the monster screeched in pain. It was about to ram the ship; At least, until a earshattering bolt pierced the heavens, impacting against the Levithian. It was as if God himself had turned to look, and dropped a massive bolt onto it. Needless to say, the now headless corpse impacted the water, waves cascading everywhere.
"Brace for impact!" I shouted, as massive waves from the aftershock hit the ship, seawater streaming across the deck.
The Pak gun was swept off the ship, as I ducked next to one of the 46cm guns. Bismarck walked over to me, her face smug as the seawater cascaded past her.
"Sucks for you." I grumbled, completely soaked with saltwater, as the salt crusted onto my skin.
"I need a bath..." I walked as Warspite walked over, somehow still carrying a teacup in her hands as she took a sip. Sara helped me up, as Yamato kept a sharp watch on the descending corpse.
"Holy shit. We actually killed it..." I glanced down at the corpse, as it sank below, starting to dissolve. My radio crackled to life, and Heinreich's voice spoke out.
"Hans. Hans, come in." I grabbed my radio.
"This is Hans. Levithian has been eliminated. Safe seas for now." I shut the radio, and walked over to the shut hatch. I opened it up, and seawater dripped in, as I stepped in, water-soaked boot making a squeak with each step. Sailors looked at me with silence and respect as I passed by; And made a wide berth for Yamato, who had seemed to regain the same amount of fame that she had when she first got on the ship. Ruby had burst out, and ran down the hall before the armored arms of Heinreich jutted out of a doorway and grabbed her before she could crash into us. Heinreich had Ruby in his arms, one hand ruffling her hair as another waved.
"Good work, Kameraden. You've made our ancestors proud." I nodded, pride filling me with warmth.
"Danke." Ruby said something through muffled words, as the rest of her team rounded around the corner. Weiss came screeching to a halt as she saw not just me, but Heinreich as she visibly paled. Yang sauntered over, grin on her face as she went to ruffle Ruby's hair as well. Blake looked less than amused; she glanced around, and back up at the hatch which was now shut. I sighed; She was more paranoid than me on the eastern front. I glanced at Weiss, who was currently standing completely rigid, back straight. I shook my head, and Heinreich hollered over Yang's shoulder.
"At ease." Weiss slumped, and walked over to Ruby and began to give her a lecture on why she shouldn't exit the room when specifically told to. I walked off to my room, exhaustion filling me with each step. Sleep overtook me as I reached my room, and I collapsed in my bunk.
I woke up to someone shaking me awake. I grumbled, and looked up to see the face of Yang through my ballistic goggles.
"Gah!" I got up quickly, and glanced out the porthole. I could see what appeared to be concrete; had we reached Menagerie already?
"Wake up, Prof! We're here!" I stumbled out the door, grabbing my bag along the way. Yang wrinkled her nose.
"Geez, Prof. Did you even take a shower?" The shards of salt crystals that followed me as I walked gave way to the answer.
"Nein."
I walked onto the deck; the deck had been patched up and scrubbed clean, And all sailors were scrambling around for final preparations. I glanced at the window, only to be startled by what I believed was a teutonic flag; To be exact, the banners of the Teutonic Order were draped around the walls. Walls that were armed with rather large guns, that were pointed at the Yamato. I paled; while we may be able to take out some, the defenses would blow us out of the water.
"Verdammit!" I began thinking fast, and generated a the flag itself, and began waving it in the air. The guns shifted away, and what appeared to be massive gates opened up the way to the port. As the JDS Yamato entered the port, With me standing tall, Teutonic flag in hand. Heinreich had come out along with his company of soldiers, And he sucked in a deep breath.
"Gott in heaven; These are some dangerous men." I smacked my head.
"How many alternate futures are we going to have to face?" As the ship landed, a catwalk connected to the ship, and for a second, no one moved. At least, until a tall, heavily armored figure walked up through the throng of men.
"I am Chaptermaster Otto Hansel, the one who leads the glory of God. Where do you hail?" Heinreich and I stepped up. Heinreich spoke first.
"I am Major Heinreich, of the Imperium of Alaria! We come with offerings of peace and friendship, as well as a request of information." He nodded, and turned to me.
"And you?" I cleared my throat, and began.
"Offizer Hans Rommel. Funfzwanzig panzergruppen." The chaptermaster relaxed, and clapped me on the back.
"Ah! Ein kerl deustcher! herzlich willkommen!" He turned to the massed amounts of men, who I realized were all knights; heavily armed while still retaining their iconic helmet that seemed to be more advanced, carrying what appeared to be mechshifting broadswords, that could switch to a rifle rather quickly. At their waist was their most iconic weapon; a massive mace, capable of murdering someone with a single strike. I spoke up to the chaptermaster.
"Kapitelmeister! Gibt es otehr Ausländer?" He turned around, and scowled.
"Ja. ungläubig..." He ushered for me and Heinreich to come along.
That is, until he saw Blake.
Chaptermaster Hansel slowly took off his helmet, and stared at Blake, who looked uncomfortable.
"Where did you find her?" Hansel questioned Heinreich, his voice strained from disbelief.
"Sie war in einer Schule, kapitelmeister." He nodded, and walked over to Blake. Yang protectively stood in front of him, but the chaptermaster simply pushed her away, sending her tumbling to the deck. Blake trembled in fear as the chaptermaster caressed her cheek. Then turned and spoke, his voice now loud and clear.
"Brüder! Sie ist zurückgekehrt!" They all took a knee, and Blake looked around, confused.
"What?" The chaptermaster had taken a knee as well, and looked up at her.
"You have returned. You, the daughter of one of our most revered Schwertheiligen, has returned at last." The chaptermaster got to his feet, and took hold of her arm gently.
"Come. Your parents will be happy that their daughter has returned." I looked on in disbelief at Heinreich, who shook his head in confusion. The guardsmen stood silent and looked back at the knights almost in silent contest, neither soldier giving way. I moved to halt the chaptermaster.
"Kapitelmeister; Wer ist sie?" He turned, and replied.
"Sie ist der Erbe und die Prinzessin der Menagerie." I took a step back out of shock; and Weiss had a hand to her mouth, probably from shock as well.
"She's royalty. All this time..." I stood, numb from shock. Silence filled the deck, as what I assumed to be. I looked around for a distraction, and found my opportunity.
"Im Namen Gottes, halt!" A few knights had their weapons raised, and had surrounded team JNPR. Most likely they had stowed away onto the ship. I stepped in between them, trying to calm them down.
"Nein! Es ist in Ordnung!" The knights didn't back down at all, until a superior looking officer stepped in. All the knights backed down and kneeled in respect; His great helm had a silver cross, most likely signifying his importance. He looked at Jaune, who had is sword and shield raised, in front of his teammates. He was trembling; most likely from fear of death, but he held firm. The knight turned to me, and spoke in clear english.
"I am Kaplan Adal. I apologize if the men have done anything so far; They are raised to protect the order and it's assets." I nodded.
"It is fine, Kaplan. These are my students." The Kaplan looked at Jaune, and tilted his head to meet his eyes.
"What is your name, child?" Kaplan Adal asked, and Jaune, stance still steady, replied.
"Jaune Arc. I'm training to be a knight." The Kaplan nodded approvingly.
"Well then. If you wish, I will induct you into the Teutonic Brotherhood. We will teach you how to effectively use your weapons to protect those you love." The Kaplan winked at him, and continued.
"And of course, we will make exceptions due to your circumstances." The Kaplan got to his feet, and I blanched at the weapon he was carrying. (AN: Warhammer fans will probably recognize this) The massive zweihander glowed with blue electricity, and the other knights backed away in fear. Jaune however, looked in awe, and I could tell why. The sword looked amazing; Practically as if it could rip straight through a panzer. The Kaplan glanced at the others, who were staring at us. He motioned with his left hand.
"Well? come on, follow me." The rest of us followed behind, As the heavily armored Kaplan marched down the street, powersword deactivated and resting on his shoulder. The knights fell in behind us, in a strict column formation. We went along, and I looked in awe at the packed streets around us. Both faunus and human filled the streets, bartering in the streets as children played in the streets. I glanced at the Kaplan.
"Are they..." He nodded.
"They are citizens under our protection. We encourage them to live in harmony, but there have been... complications." I could tell he was grimacing under his great helm.
"The infidels, the White Fang, have been harassing our city. They've killed innocent civilians in their crusade of peace." He glanced back.
"And so, we shall fight back. For every drop of blood of the innocent they spill, we shall destroy their little bastions of death." He gestured at the middle of the square we entered, and Yang covered Ruby's eyes as Weiss looked green. Heinreich and I looked impassively at the cross that stood in the square, where a figure, white fang mask stiched onto his face, was nailed to it. on his chest were the words HERETIC scarred onto his chest, and he looked as if he was in agony with every moment that passed. Yang started.
"Is that-" The Kaplan nodded, no emotion shown on his face.
"Yes. We captured this heretic after he tried to go on a rampage with a weapon, trying to kill civilians. Knight Sergeant Keats here-" He gestured to the front of the column following us in silence, Where a knight nodded, tabard blowing gently in the air.
"Subdued him, and we put in in for interrogation. Then we crucified him." Yang gasped, but me and Heinreich simply nodded; The Teutonic Order was known for their strict, no nonsense rule of law. I nodded towards the man.
"It seems that the civilians dislike him as well." I gestured towards the foot of the post, where angry civilians; most likely the ones who had family die in his rampage; throw all manners of objects at him, as he winced when what I could only assume was saltwater from the sea splashed onto him, causing him to start screaming again.
"Barbaric..." Warspite whispered, and I glanced at the Kaplan, who seemed undisturbed by all of this. He motioned for us to continue following him, which the girls hurriedly followed along, wanting to push that nightmare of a scene away from them. The knights marched along, and we came to a stop before what appeared to be a massive keep/cathedral, As what I assumed to be knight-aspirants trained in the courtyard while squires, no more than the age of thirteen, played together; running around and playing tag, much to the amusement of the knights. I glanced to the far side of the massive keep, and did a double-take as I saw what appeared to be a massive robot appear out of a opening set of armored bay doors, a massive sword of a arm on his right while what appeared to be a cannon was his left. The Kaplan and the knights halted and took a knee, and me and Heinreich followed their example. Jaune eagerly followed too, much to the surprising disappointment of Pyrrha. The Kaplan spoke, speaker enlarging his voice.
"Paladin Adalbert. It is a honor to stand before you. How may this humble one do your bidding?" I looked up in confusion; this robot was intelligent?"
A tinny but human voice came through what I could only assume was a speaker, and the sound of a proud, yet aged man came through.
"Kaplan Adal. It is good to meet you again. Ah, it seems as if it was just yesterday since you were born. Why, I still remember when-" The Kaplan cut him off, voice choked in what I could only assume was embarrassment.
"Paladin Adalbert, that is unnecessary." The knights behind him chuckled in amusement, until the Kaplan spun around, the glare from his visor making them silent. He turned to the Paladin again.
"Is there a mission that you will be departing to soon?" The Primarch made a movement that I assumed was a nod, and continued.
"I am departing on a mission to support our allies in our crusade against the recent terrorist incursions in the area. Would you and your men like to join?" He glanced at us, and nodded.
"I'm sure your friends are ready as well; the women can wait." Yang looked ready to argue, but one look from the Paladin made her shut up in defeat. Paladin Adalbert stomped along, as the Kaplan looked at us.
"Would you care to experience what the finest of the Order has to offer?" I nodded, and pushed Jaune in front of me.
"C'mon Jaune, you wanted to be a knight. This is your chance." He stepped up, and the Paladin stopped to turn around, people moving away from his legs. He shifted his massive sword down, and spoke.
"Child. Climb up so that I can take a better look." Jaune gulped nervously, but a enthusiastic slap on the back from Nora as well as words of encouragement from Pyrrha won him over. He clambered up, tripping once along the way, and made it up to his fist. The Paladin rose up to his full height, as his steel colored eyeports looked him over. The Paladin hummed disappointingly and Jaune slumped; He was let down, and walked back towards us.
"Kaplan Adal! Call the quartermaster, and give this young man a new weapon and some armor; I sense greatness from him; greatness destinied to make him a Schwertheiligen greater than all we have seen." Jaune brightened instantly; A aspirant came running, lugging gear and what appeared to be a weapon along with him as he dropped it in front of Jaune. The Kaplan moved to help him, as the other knights did the same. Jaune was unvisible for a few minutes; when they finished however, Pyrrha blushed. Jaune's armor was practically made for him; the armor, while visibly seeming to be heavy, was light according to him; As he tugged on the helmet, his visor glowed with a golden, almost holy light. He placed Crocea Mors in it's rightful place by his hip, while he took his new weapon and put it right above his heirloom. Jaune no longer looked like the coward who repeatedly got his ass handed to him by Cardin; he appeared to be a full grown man, and he glowed with pride and confidence. The Kaplan nodded, and gave a roman salute to the new knight; no crusader.
"Aspirant Jaune Arc. You shall now take the oath of the Teutonic Order. Do you proceed?" Jaune nodded.
"Yes sir." The Kaplan continued.
"By my honor and blade, I swear to protect the innocent from the evil, In the name of the Order. I swear to uphold my duty, and should I fail, to let my brothers take me to be redeemed by God. Gott will!" Jaune repeated the oath, and the knights fell in behind him, in formation. The Paladin nodded, and began marching along. I stopped Kaplan Adal as he was about to depart.
"Can you get a knight to show them their accomidations? Just in case this takes long..." The Kaplan laughed, but nodded.
"Of course." He turned and grabbed a random knight, who appeared to be carrying metal scrap towards what I assumed was the forge.
"Knight! show the women the guest quarters. and Please, do not do anything unbecoming of your oath. Or else I shall smite you myself." The knight nodded and went off, as the Kaplan nodded. We caught up with the rest of the column, Heinreich and I falling in line with the Kaplan.
"Was there anything else?" The Kaplan questioned, and I began.
"Who are these allies of yours? We were told to make contact with a faction that came from my world." The Kaplan hummed thoughtfully as we entered what appeared to be a massive dropship. Heinreich looked in amazement.
"Amazing that this was all undetected by our ships in orbit..." He gazed in wonder, at all of the knights assorted in square formation as the Paladin stomped to the middle.
"We have some good technology. As to answer your question, Offizer Hans; They called themselves 'Russians'. While their language appeared to be on par with the slavic races we encountered before, they were willing to open up friendly relations with us. And while not the greatest of warriors, they have earned my respect in their willingness to die to protect their families." The dropship rumbled as it came to life, and the blast doors slammed shut. Jaune had made his way towards us, and was holding his gut.
"Something wrong, Aspirant Jaune?" The Kaplan questioned worryingly, and Jaune shook his head.
"Always hated flying..." The Kaplan nodded, and walked up to a platoon. Moments later, a knight with a pauldron depicting a cross with a cadecus came over.
"Medikus Stuttgart here. What is the problem kameraden?" Jaune keeled over, and the medic winced in sympathy.
"Take this. You should feel better in a few moments..." He rummaged around and handed Jaune a pill, who took it happily and tugged off his helmet to take the medicine. Jaune quickly recovered; He tugged the helmet back on, and nodded at the medic.
"Thanks." The Medic shrugged, and began walking back to his platoon.
"No problem. all in a day's work." The Kaplan nodded approvingly, and I felt the dropship come to a halt. the ship began to lower, itself, as the blast doors began to open. the Paladin made his way to the front, cannon and blade at the ready. I tapped Kaplan Adal again, who began to look annoyed.
"So many questions... What?" I pointed at the Paladin.
"What is that called?"
"It's called a Dreadnought. As to why... You'll see soon." The towering figure of the dreadnought cast a shadow as sunligh poked it's way in, and soon the doors were fully open.
We made landfall; right in front of the front gate of their base.
"Gott Will!" The Dreadnought stomped it's way across with astounding speed, crushing White Fang members left and right. I winced as one man screamed before a massive metal foot crushed him under, and I whistled.
"I don't think even my tank would be able to take that out..." The Dreadnought reached the base. The ramparts had been pulled up, but I doubted it would be a problem when the dreadnought activated his blade.
I would never forget that sound; the sound of a chainsaw revving up it'se engine, as the now known chainsword cut straight through the steel gates of the base, and made a makeshift rampart. the Dreadnought plowed straight through the gatehouse, sending defenders flying everywhere. It was at this moment that the Chaplain gave his command.
"Knights of the Order! Charge!" The knights moved in unsion, charging down the ramps as they fired their rifles at any remaining stragglers on the field. I expected them to encounter heavy resistance from the remaining defenders at the destroyed gate;
I was wrong. As we rushed through, I watched in awe as the knights seemingly switched their weapons while charging, swords forming along the way as they massacred the enemy. I watched as a White Fang member screamed in horror as a knight cleaved off his arms, before lopping off his head.
"Mein Gott..." Jaune had made strides in his combat performance; he worked somewhat fluidly, his STG-44 that I had bestowned to him taking out targets that ran towards him. He seemed to be hesitating somewhat however; most likely because they were people, and not Grimm. It was gone, however, as Jaune drew Crocea Mors and cleaved one in half with his newfound strength.
"Knights; On me!" The Kaplan's unmistakable voice came across the battlefield, as the knights hacked their way through to their leader. Jaune rushed to join in, but I stopped him.
"Jaune, you're on me. Our mission takes priority." He nodded disappointingly and fell in line, mumbling along the way about Pyrrha.
"Kaplan. Can you hear me?"
"Yes Hans. Loud and clear."
"Are the Russians providing you with artillery support?"
"They are entering from the West Gate. You should be able to see them within a few moments." I glanced down the street, and sure enough, a T-95 tank, commonly known to us as 'The Scourge of the East' rumbled down the street, as the main gun fired a shell at a target behind us. The tank rolled up to us, and came to a stop. A crewman popped up, and pointed at us.
"You there! knights?" Jaune nodded, And I shook my head.
"German! I am here on behalf of a diplomatic mission!" The man grunted, and went back in. Moments later, a Officer came out, along with ten heavily armed men. It seemed the rest of the army had come as well; armored personnel carriers and armored cars rolled down the street, separating as some stayed with the tank. As he tilted his cap up, my breath hitched. I growled.
"You! What are you doing here?!"